Christmas is the Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that in Jesus, God came into the world to bring love, hope and salvation.
In Finland, Christmas is both a major family celebration and an important time in the church year. Christmas Eve, 24 December, is a particularly popular day to attend church. Parishes hold services for different audiences, and many people visit cemeteries to light candles in memory of loved ones.
Church services during Christmas tell the story of Jesus’ birth through Bible readings, hymns and prayers. Some take place on Christmas Eve, while others are held on Christmas night or Christmas morning.
Christmas Day is 25 December. The Christmas season continues beyond that date, with other Christian festivals and Sundays that reflect on the birth of Jesus and its meaning.
For Christians, Christmas is more than a celebration of familiar traditions. It is a reminder of God’s love for the world and the hope Christians find in Jesus Christ.